Sea World Orlando To Build New Roller Coaster For 2000

Orlando, FL -- A terrifying monster of the deep will soon be let loose on Central Florida. Its lair will be deep within SeaWorld Florida.

Kraken -- a massive, mythological underwater beast kept caged by Poseidon - emerges from the depths of the sea and will break all records as the newest, highest, fastest, longest -- and wildest -- roller coaster in Orlando. The mega-coaster opens spring, 2000.

SeaWorld Florida's first-ever roller coaster also is the first of its kind in the Southeast.

Best described as a "floorless" coaster, Kraken's seats are open-sided and ride on a pedestal, high above the track. Riders' feet dangle and no coaster car surrounds them.

Riding on Kraken, there's nothing in front of guests or beneath their feet. Above riders' heads is nothing but sky. During each of the coaster's seven high-speed loops, the only thing above is the ground.

It's just you and the monster.

Kraken's sensation of flat-out speed, high G-forces, weightlessness and spiraling loops and turns may be unparalleled in theme park thrill rides, but SeaWorld's designers chose to add a few new twists. A portion of Kraken's 4,000-foot-plus length is over water. The coaster plunges underground three times, once where riders unexpectedly dive deep into the lagoon, entering the serpent's underwater lair at full speed, huge plumes of spray drenching bystanders.

Wandering through Kraken's lair, guests will come face-to-face with live eels - the fearsome serpent's young - encased in round see-through "eggs." It's yet another way SeaWorld blends thrills, entertainment and animals.

"Our guests have always told us what thrills and adventures they'd like to see at SeaWorld Florida in Orlando," said Ed Litrenta, the park's vice president of marketing. "And now, with Kraken, they'll be able to experience the fastest, longest, tallest, wildest coaster in Orlando. In my opinion, it will be the best coaster on earth."

SeaWorld Florida burst onto the thrill ride scene in 1998, when the Orlando adventure park opened Journey to Atlantis, a watercoaster ride through the mysterious lost city. Journey to Atlantis was chosen by Disney Adventure's Magazine as one the nation's scariest thrill rides and by USA Today as one of the nation's top five new attractions for 1998.

"With the great coasters at our Busch Gardens parks and SeaWorld Texas in San Antonio, Anheuser-Busch has more than 20 years experience in designing and building state-of-the-thrill roller coasters," said Litrenta. "And this will be our best yet. If you're looking for wild coaster rides in Orlando, Kraken will be your first stop."